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THE COUNTRYMAN. 75 M.j Glr&td^FafJeer’s (I hair. “De omnibus rebus, et quibusdam aliis.” BY W. W. TURNER. Vol. f DECEMBER 1, 1862. No. 5. God Bless our Southern Women ! From tiio hovel of the poor and the tent of the soldier, the bivouac and the hospital, ascends this earnest prayer to the Creator. In the heart of every true Southerner, be he rich or poor, warrior or civilian, the sen timent finds an echo. A whole nation, uni ting as one man, invokes the choicest fa vors Heaven has in store, on the heads of the fair of our land ; the ministering angels who, with such noble abnegation of self, such untiring persistence of benevolence, are devoting themselves to the. task of ad ministering to the v ants and alleviating the sufferings of those who give up everything to fi£bt for their country. In the beginning of this war, a spirit of restlessness, adventure, romance, had much to do with the business of raising companies to go forth against the enemy. The hearts of young men beat high with pride and am bition, and a military ardor infused itself in to the bosoms of all in the least susceptible of it, as they listened to the tones of martial music, or looked upon the measured tread, erect ports, and eagle eyes of those who had already organized themselves into corps for service. Even thus early, woman had her part assigned by nature’s self, and well did she perform it. Words of encourage ment, soul-stirring appeals, were required to arouse those who were disposed to be cold and indifferent. Those who had already enlisted had to he confirmed and sustained. Banners? were made and given away ; ad dresses were spoken and responded to. In receiving their colors,youthful warriors were inspired with firm resolution, and many a well-kept vow did they mako as they took in keeping the flags delivered by the fair ones of their acquaintance; wrought by their hands ;'consecrated by their touch ; hallowed by being associated with them in conception, construction, and presentation. He who went to the field was strengthened and buoyed up when he remembered the words of encouragement that came from the lips of the women of his home. As the snorting iron horse bore him away from familiar scenes and faces, he dwelt up on every accent and look that accompa nied the hour of parting, but most of all did the language of the ladies who bade him God speed, ring upon his ears and nerve him to deeds of valor and heroism. Nei ther the hurry and confusion of journeys,. nor the varied scenes of camp, nor the uproar and danger of battle fields could ob literate its effect, and often when weary,faint, arjd failing, the thought of those for whom he was enduring the hardships and dangers of war,revived his sinking spirits, and he was rendered strong to endure and accomplish. About every soldier, when he first enters upon camp life, there is much of this enthu siasm and romance. Especially was this the case with the first who went into ser vice; and these feelings were for some time kept alive by such thoughts as I have spo ken ot. But the time came when all that passed a\vay ; the novelty was lost; the enthusiasm died out; the romance had gone. Then, unless a sense of duty, unless firm, unyielding principle came to his aid, he drooped and faltered. It was then that he ceased to remember so much the kind and inspiriting words of woman, and her be nevolent acts began to impress themselves upon his mind. Nor did it require long for woman to dis cover and begin to discharge her new du ties. Theivshe commenced to work, as be fore she had talked and smiled. To-day the true heart of woman manifests itself, and substantial deeds of kindness and charity betray the benevolent instincts within- The hospitals are visited by those who dwell near them ; the sick and wounded are taken into private houses and nursed, and waited upon by kind hands ; the depots along our great thoroughfares of travel are constantly watched by bands of noble wo men, and .the poor soldier, parched with fever, weaiy with travel, mutilated bv the weapons of the enemy, is furnished with water, towels, change of clothing and food. Some of the proudest, wealthiest dames in our land occupy themselves constantly in such employment. In our cities, on our railroads, almost ’on the very battle field, are found true sistevs of charity, ministering to every want of those whom they can reach Away from hospitals and dries and rail roads, in small villages and sparsely-settled country neighborhoods, the same spirit pre vails. All over the. country, woman is at work. She sows or knits, spins or weaves. Those who, a few years ago, never made any further attempt at industry than is the accompaniment of a cambric needle and a piece of muslin, now knit the substantial woelen sock, or make the coarse shirt, or jacket. It is when wrapping himself in the blanket or quilt furnished by fair hands, that the soldier in camp ; or when etijo\ ing the luxuries provided by ladies, that the poor sick one in tlie hospital, prays, with all the fervor of which the human heart is capable : “ Oh God of mercy bless our Southern women ! Shield them from all barm. Confuseand destroy the vandal hordes that war upon them and our country !” And God will bless them. They need not fear. In working for the soldiers and their families, they are choosing the better part, in comparison with those who, in this their country’s hour of need, indulge in the same old extravagance, luxury and idle** ness. Their own consciences recompense them. L>o they not, in their new vocations, experience a holy joy to which, before > many of them were strangers 1 Gould the frippery and folly of fashion ever give them half the. d elight as the consciousness that they are now warming many a cold one,rais ing to health many a sick one,cheering those who are desponding,makingall around them comfortable 1 Great indeed is their reward ! There is but little romance in nursing the sick, feeling the hungry, knitting socks, sewing oil kerseys and osnaburgs. It is not like making silk flags, and presentation speeches, and many were not sure whether Southern women would ever go heartily in to anything so plain and useful as attending hospitals, or getting up coarse, comfortable clothing. How little did the*e doubters understand those on whom they sat in judg ment ! How small was their knowledge of the instinct that has made woman a blessing to the human race in all ages of the world ! In this war, she stops not to ask whether she can perform some deed of daring that shall astonish the world, but how she can be useful. She does not wait for an oppor tunity to do something that will entitle her to a place on the page of history, but ex erts herself wherever want is to be relieved, or suffering alleviated. With the spirit and the intellect to accomplish all that the favorites of Fame have done, she hesitates not to act the smaller and obscurer parts that are necessary to be sustained in this the great drama of the age. God bless our Southern women ! They are rearing for themselves a monument more lasting than the brass that perisheth. Search history as you will, you can find no record more glorious than that they are making. Not Sparta nor Rome could af ford mothers more heroic, wives or sisters more devoted. No war, either ancient oi modern, tver developed a purer patriotism or more ardent love and support of a just cause than they display. Generations to come shall rise up to call them blessed. The poet will wreathe his brightest garlands with which to deck their memory, the historian will choose the story of their deeds as his most pleasing theme, and never, so long as civilization shall last, will the South ern women of this age, or their good works, be forgotten.